Texas State trying to look past lowly predictions

Updated 11:55 pm, Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State cornerback Darryl Morris (right), a Warren High product, goes through drills Tuesday. The Bobcats are doing their best to ignore preseason predictions that have them next to last in the WAC.

Texas State cornerback Darryl Morris (right), a Warren High product, goes through drills Tuesday. The Bobcats are doing their best to ignore preseason predictions that have them next to last in the WAC.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State University quarterback Tyler Arndt (center) works on drills during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Texas State University quarterback Tyler Arndt (center) works on drills during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State University quarterback Tyler Arndt (12) throws a pass during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Texas State University quarterback Tyler Arndt (12) throws a pass during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State University's defensive lineman Jordan Norfleet (97) works on drills during the team football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Texas State University's defensive lineman Jordan Norfleet (97) works on drills during the team football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State University quarterback Shaun Rutherford (17) drops back for a pass during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Texas State University quarterback Shaun Rutherford (17) drops back for a pass during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State University tight end Chase Harper (19) reaches for a catch during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Texas State University tight end Chase Harper (19) reaches for a catch during football practice in San Marcos on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Texas State trying to look past lowly predictions

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SAN MARCOS — Texas State is just two days into fall drills, but already Darryl Morris can feel a difference.

Consequently, when it comes to preseason polls that forecast a sixth-place finish for the Bobcats in the seven-team Western Athletic Conference — ahead of only UTSA — Morris said he and his teammates simply ignore them.

“We understand people are going to doubt us,” the senior cornerback said Tuesday after practice at Bobcat Stadium. “But we don't let it bother us. We try to use it as fuel.”

Morris and the Bobcats are realistic, however. They know it's going to take a lot of fuel — from whatever source — to thrive in the WAC this season.

It's their first year at the Football Bowl Subdivision level and only season in this conference before they move on to the more stable Sun Belt Conference in 2013.

Ahead of them is a daunting schedule that includes only one Football Championship Subdivision foe — Stephen F. Austin — after facing nine FCS opponents and one Division II school last year en route to a 6-6 record.

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Franchione said he understands the polls. He might not agree with them, but he understands them.

“Right now we haven't done anything in FBS-level football,” he said. “So it stands to reason that's where we ought to be picked.

“But in the end, it's not where you start, it's where you finish.”

Franchione said he likes what he sees in the early going.

“I think we had a good spring. We were a better football team in the spring than we ever were last fall, which is important,” he said. “I think we can build on that now in fall practice.

“When I say we're a better football team, we'd better be because we have a lot tougher schedule.”

Franchione said one of the keys will be ball security. The Bobcats lost 17 fumbles last year.

“When we took care of the football, we won. When we didn't, we lost,” he said. “We're preaching the same things in practice we did last year. The difference is the players are taking more of a responsibility now.”

Notebook: The Bobcats will practice in shorts and helmets again today before donning partial pads Thursday. The first day of full pads is Friday, with two-a-days beginning Saturday. ... The team saw 105 players suit up the first day of fall drills Monday. ... Evening practices will continue through Aug. 23. They begin at the Bobcat practice fields and conclude at the stadium once the sun goes down.